Validity of Dietary Restraint Scales: Reply to van Strien et al. (2006).

In T. van Strien, R. C. M. E. Engels, W. van Staveren, and C. P. Herman's (see record 2006-03905-010) comment, they contested the conclusion that dietary restraint scales are invalid measures of acute dietary restriction (E. Stice, M. Fisher, & M. R. Lowe, 2004). The authors respond to their concerns and conclude that researchers should (a) not have to work this hard to find evidence that these scales correlate with dieting restriction, (b) not settle for scales with only weak validity, and (c) use scales that are consistently valid across settings. The authors also discuss new evidence that most weight loss dieters are not achieving the negative energy balance necessary for weight loss, which seems to explain why these scales do not correlate inversely with caloric intake and why those with the highest dietary restraint scores gain more weight over time. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Computerized offender assessment: Validation study.

Evaluated the validity of a computer-based test interpretation (CBTI) system for mental health screening in correctional settings. First, 100 adult male felons were administered a brief mental status interview and a series of psychological tests, including the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), the revised Beta IQ Examination, and the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory. Psychiatric diagnoses and CBTI ratings of victimization, violence, suicide, and substance abuse potentials were compared with clinicians' evaluations. Second, CBTI diagnoses of 109 inmates were compared with Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) diagnoses. Last, CBTI risk ratings were compared with institutional infraction records of 1,718 inmates. Agreement with CBTI and clinicians' risk ratings was fair. CBTI agreement with clinicians' and DIS diagnoses ranged from 60–93%. Ways of improving CBTI algorithms and the value of this approach in correctional screening are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Highy oblique impacts into thick and thin targets

Hypervelocity impact (HVI) tests have been conducted at the JSC Hypervelocity Impact Test Facility (HIT-F) with aluminum projectiles impacting semi-infinite (thick) and thin aluminum plates (with plate thickness to projectile diameter ratios of 6.4 and 0.14, respectively) at impact angles ranging from normal to the plate (0°) to highly oblique (88°). The targets were impacted by solid homogeneous aluminum spheres from 1 mm to 3.6 mm diameter. Results of the HVI tests were not unusual up to 65°, where impact damage is characterized as smooth craters and holes that become progressively elliptical and distended along the projectile flight path. Above 65° angles, however, a transition occurs to an irregularly shaped hole in thin materials and rough bottomed crater in thick targets. Above 80°, multiple damage sites in the targets were formed with the damage areas separated by variable distances of undamaged target surface. Analytical and numerical simulations of the impact process at oblique angles above 65° demonstrates that shock compression and release of the projectile into multiple fragments occurs before the projectile fully engages the target. The resulting projectile fragments are then responsible for the multiple impact sites observed on the targets.     

The case of Gary: Alternatives perhaps, incapable no.

Responds to M. F. Hoyt's (see record 1994-18395-001) critique of T. F. Van Denburg and E. J. Van Denburg's (see record 1993-06526-001) article on premature termination of therapy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A component analysis of cognitive-behavioral treatment for depression.

The purpose of this study was to provide an experimental test of the theory of change put forth by A. T. Beck, A. J. Rush, B. E Shaw, and G. Emery ( 1979 ) to explain the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CT) for depression. The comparison involved randomly assigning 150 outpatients with major depression to a treatment focused exclusively on the behavioral activation (BA) component of CT, a treatment that included both BA and the teaching of skills to modify automatic thoughts (AT), but excluding the components of CT focused on core schema, or the full CT treatment. Four experienced cognitive therapists conducted all treatments. Despite excellent adherence to treatment protocols by the therapists, a clear bias favoring CT, and the competent performance of CT, there was no evidence that the complete treatment produced better outcomes, at either the termination of acute treatment or the 6-month follow-up, than either component treatment. Furthermore, both BA and AT treatments were just as effective as CT at altering negative thinking as well as dysfunctional attributional styles. Finally, attributional style was highly predictive of both short- and long-term outcomes in the BA condition, but not in the CT condition. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Measuring the benefits and costs of utility conservation and load management programmes

We have learned much less than we could have from utility operation of conservation and load management programmes. Our general ignorance concerning the performance (ie benefits and costs) of these programmes exists because we have not devoted sufficient resources to careful evaluations of past and present programmes. We need to build evaluation into the programme planning and implementation process and we should use actual electricity and gas bills to measure programme performance. Finally, we should conduct well designed experiments to learn what does and does not work.     

On the facet-to-facet property of solutions to convex parametric quadratic programs

In some of the recently developed algorithms for convex parametric quadratic programs it is implicitly assumed that the intersection of the closures of two adjacent critical regions is a facet of both closures; this will be referred to as the facet-to-facet property. It is shown by an example, whose solution is unique, that the facet-to-facet property does not hold in general. Consequently, some existing algorithms cannot guarantee that the entire parameter space will be explored. A simple modification, applicable to several existing algorithms, is presented for the purpose of overcoming this problem. Numerical results indicate that, compared to the original algorithms for parametric quadratic programs, the proposed method has lower computational complexity for problems whose solutions consist of a large number of critical regions.     

Coaching at the top.

Presents a systems-oriented approach to the leadership development of top-level executives. A structured program is described that is designed to have a positive impact at the organizational level through focused work with the individual client. Leadership effectiveness is seen as strongly influenced by the individual's past, personal life, and work environment. Comprehensive information gathered from the client's work life and personal life increases understanding of behaviors that influence performance, and thereby fosters change. Development is perceived from a holistic point of view, with benefits to the organization accruing through increased effectiveness in any areas of the client's life. A case example (of a 40-yr-old male) is given to illustrate how this approach is put into effect. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)